The β -radiations of uranium X 1 and uranium X 2

Abstract

Recent work on the β - and γ -spectra of various radioactive elements has indicated the need for further study of the radiation from the uranium X bodies, in order to elucidate a number of points about which at present there is insufficient information. There are two general problems toward the solution of which improved data for the case of U X should prove useful. One is the question of the form of the energy spectra, and this implies a decision regarding the possible complexity of the spectra. The other is the relation between disintegration energies and rates of decay. In the original Sargent diagram, the logarithms of the end-points were plotted against the logarithms of the transformation constants. It was then seen that the points on this diagram fell about two simple curves. Although considerations are still generally based on these curves as the loci of all points, it seems possible that this is an over-simplification of the matter. Apart from these general problems, the question of the possible emission of nuclear γ -radiation in the U X 2 disintegration (as evidenced, perhaps, by the presence of a number of weak lines in the β -ray spectrum of the body) has special relevance to recent suggestions regarding the isomerism of the nuclei U X 2 and U Z. The present paper describes attempts which have been made to obtain further evidence on all these questions.